PO Box 164, Far Rockaway, NY 11693
To contact a resident: (718) 945-5500
For more information about senior living options: (866) 208-4318
Overall Review of Surfside Manor
Pros
The staff at Surfside Manor are friendly and great.- The administrative director was amazing, helpful, kind, patient, and informative.
- The entire staff shares a strong investment in their residents.
- The care provided at Surfside Manor is worth the distance.
- The facility is clean and offers engaging activities like arts and crafts and bingo.
- Surfside Manor is a great assisted living facility with friendly staff.
- The services at Surfside Manor are excellent and the staff are exceptional.
- The setting offers a beautiful ocean view and a welcoming environment.
Cons
They would not provide information about a relative who had passed away or share the caller’s contact details with the requester.- It was difficult to get there and to find parking.
- The waiting area felt overwhelming due to its large size.
- Some staff members were standoffish.
- The exterior of the building was not modern.
Review
Surfside Manor in Far Rockaway is best suited for families seeking a hands-on, community-driven assisted living where compassionate staff investment and robust social programming take precedence over sleek finishes. The setting works well for residents with Alzheimer’s or memory challenges who benefit from attentive supervision and predictable routines, delivered by a team perceived as genuinely dedicated. The ocean-adjacent location adds a refreshing backdrop and a sense of daily life that can uplift mood and promote engagement, even as the building itself remains modest.
Those who should consider alternatives include families chasing modern amenities, expansive private spaces, or a streamlined, highly polished experience. Surfside Manor is repeatedly described as basic and older in exterior and interior feel, with a large central area that can feel overwhelming and small rooms that limit personal space. Parking hurdles and accessibility quirks can complicate visits, and a few reviews highlight gaps in information sharing during sensitive moments. For households where privacy, rapid responsiveness, and contemporary design are non-negotiables, other communities will likely fit better.
The strongest positives lie with the people delivering care. Administrative leadership is praised as supportive, patient, and informative, and the entire staff is described as having a genuine investment in residents. The daily rhythm centers on meaningful activities, arts and crafts, bingo, and other programs, that keep residents busy and socially connected. The facility’s cleanliness and ongoing upkeep contribute to a sense of dignity and well-being, while staff friendliness and residents’ visible interactions reinforce a welcoming, communal atmosphere.
Still, concrete drawbacks temper the upside. The facility’s basic build and dated exterior contrast with more modern peers, and parking can be a logistical drain for families and visitors. The lounge area sometimes feels too large and busy, making it harder for some residents to settle, and room sizes can feel cramped for those needing more personal space. Communication experiences vary: a recurring concern is the difficulty some families encounter when seeking information about loved ones or notices about important events, which can erode trust during trying times. These operational gaps are real and not easily dismissed.
Ultimately, the pros offset the primary drawbacks where care quality and daily life matter most. For families balancing cost with steady, compassionate care and structured activities, Surfside Manor delivers meaningful value: caregivers who know residents well, a predictable routine, and a supportive administrative layer. For residents with Alzheimer’s, the staff’s commitment translates into reliable supervision and engagement that can reduce anxiety and promote dignity, benefits that often outsize the limitations of a dated ambiance. Yet the offsets are not universal; if modern aesthetics, expansive private space, and airtight, transparent family communication are essential, other options will outperform this community.
Decision-makers should approach a visit with a clear checklist and frank questions. Prioritize confirming memory-care capabilities and staff-to-resident ratios, and probe how daily updates and urgent news are communicated to families. Evaluate parking practicality, room sizes, and any renovation timelines to gauge how the current environment will age over the next few years. If warmth, continuity of care, and structured activities take precedence over contemporary interiors, Surfside Manor stands as a solid, practical choice. If those newer-design, higher-privacy criteria define the search, proceed to alternatives that offer a more modern, streamlined experience without sacrificing the human touch.
Skilled Nursing Facility
Garden
Guasts at mealtime
Laundry
Resident parking
Security gate
John F Kennedy International (3 miles away)
Transportation & parking
Diabetes diet
Low / no sodium
American sign language
English
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